Shade and privacy extension accessory

ABSTRACT

The object of the invention is to improve privacy, shade, and aesthetic properties of a rigid barrier fence or wall or an outdoor patio. The preferred embodiment is a screen panel with visual and audio impairment properties that extends upward from the top of a barrier wall and effectively increases the overall wall height. Other embodiments affix a shade or aesthetic combination accessory from a barrier fence or wall, roof, or roof support member.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The background art applicable to the invention pertains to rigidbarrier fences or walls or an outdoor patio roof as to their role inproviding privacy, shade, or aesthetic improvements.

[0002] Privacy

[0003] Barrier fences or walls are commonly found in areas withcongested housing, such as town houses or concentrated suburban housing.Many southwestern cities in the United States have concentrated suburbanhousing developments. In these cities, single or two story houses arefrequently located as little as 10 feet from the nearest neighboringhouse and are separated by a barrier fence or wall. The barrier fence orwall serves multiple functions, three of which are creating privacy,creating shade, and blocking sound from neighbors, busy streets, andother noise sources. This wall is frequently regulated by city and/orstate ordinances as to a maximum height due to safety issues that arisewhen a wall becomes too tall and not otherwise supported. An undesirableresult is that individuals taller than five and a half feet canfrequently view into a neighbor's yard, house windows, or other personalproperty, and can clearly hear conversations, party's noises, or otherdisturbances. This event, thereby, compromises the privacy between theneighbors. In each occurrence, an individual on one side of the fence isdisturbing his or her neighbor's peace, whilst the individual on theother side of the fence is being violated of his or her privacy.

[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 4,193,583, issued to Russell L. Witt, is for achain link fence extension. This utility prescribes an extensionattachment that has the flexibility of choosing the extension materialand design to suit aesthetic and privacy concerns. Other applications ofthis invention, relating to the chain link fence, can have the functionof improving the aesthetics of an otherwise common fence. The utilitiesof this design are realized only when used with the prescribed method ofattachment, which is specific to the thin and flexible chain link fence.This extension can be combined with another patent, U.S. Pat. No.2,760,759, issued to Rice, which inserts vertical slats down through thewire mesh of a chain link fence. The sum of these improvements, in themost related manner, is effectively a taller chain link fence withlimited visibility through.

[0005] Shade

[0006] Shade is a valuable asset in summer months. Shade serves to helpkeep areas at a cooler temperature or to protect areas from directsunlight. Shade makers can be an independent erection, such as a freestanding patio umbrella or a car port, or shade makers can be anerection to an already existing object such as the addition of a visorto a car or plane or an awning to a house. Conventional awnings aresupported at more than two points; requiring a significant area aboveand around a doorway or window.

[0007] Aesthetics

[0008] Many designs of fences are meant to increase the aesthetics of ahouse or an establishment and the surrounding property. Wrought iron isused to make a necessary fence or gate appear more elegant. The use ofwrought iron is intended, however, to let a passerby view inside. TheWhite House perimeter fence is an example. Concrete, stone, and wood arealso used in the fabrication of fences or walls, but help obstruct viewsas well as well as inhibit passage.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The invention pertains to the design of a non-permanent outdoorfixture accessory that provides the services of a visual impairment,sound barrier, shade creator, or aesthetic improvement to a barrierfence or wall or outdoor patio. The barrier fence or wall mentionedhereon in is in reference to a solid, rigid, permanent erection whichserves as a visual and/or audio blocker, or as an obstacle meant toprevent the intrusion or departure of people or animals, and commonlyfound between neighboring houses or along property lines. Such erectionsare normally constructed employing concrete, concrete-blocks, metal,stone, or wood materials, or any combination thereof. The mounts for allembodiments can be any of the types disposed to cover 3 sides of anentity, such as the back, top and front of a barrier fence or wall, 2sides of an entity, such as the top and front of a barrier fence orwall, or a single side, such as the back, top, or front of a barrierfence or wall.

[0010] It is an object of the invention to increase the privacygenerated by a barrier fence or wall by increasing the overall visualimpairment height.

[0011] It is another object of the invention to increase the privacygenerated by a barrier fence or wall by increasing the overall audioimpairment height.

[0012] In the preferred embodiment, saddle mounts are placed at apredetermined increment apart on the top of a concrete-block barrierwall of a back yard. An extension rod composed of a rigid durablematerial is attached to each mount with a pivotal freedom about an axisparallel to the barrier wall, at the location where the extension rodabuts the saddle mount. A screen composed of a material with desirableopacity, shade, sound permeability, strength, ventilation, and weightcharacteristics spans the distance between the saddle mounts, fits overthe extension rods via looped end sheaths, and has a height equal to thelength of the extension rods. The ends of the screen, with respect tothe length, are folded back making a loop, and fixed, forming a sheathfor the purposes of accommodating the extension rods. In another case ofthis embodiment, the loop ends of the screen material have sectionsremoved, thereby creating gaps between the loops. This allows foradditional screens to share the same extension rod by interlacing theloop ends. This interlocking action additionally serves as a fulcrum forchanges in the angle of a wall perimeter, for example, if a yard ownerdesires to have a continuous wall extension for his three-sided backyardbarrier wall. This wall extension is superior to the prior art in thatit possesses the capability of achieving a greater area of completevisual impairment, a greater area of complete audio impairment, anadjustability of protrusion angle, a linking ability to achieve acontinuous impaired area, and a method of doing so in a temporaryfashion as to not violate city and state ordinances.

[0013] It is still another object of the invention to increase the shadecreated by a barrier fence or wall by increasing the overall height oradjusting the angle of protrusion of part of the barrier fence or wall.

[0014] In this embodiment, a screen accessory is added to the barrierfence or wall and serves the function of blocking direct sunlight andother elements to sensitive plants or articles. The shade screen issupported by extension rods, which are coupled to flat surface mounts byan intermediary U-bracket. The U-bracket allows for the adjustability ofprotrusion angle of the screen and extension rods with respect to themount. Further applications of this embodiment include a combinationshade creator and sun light or UV absorber, such as solar panels forgenerating power or a solar water heater for a pool. It is noted thatthe shade created by the screen panel extension, the utility of theinvention, can be achieved using any kind of mount with suitablestrength and durability properties.

[0015] It is still another object of the invention to increase the shadecreated by a patio roof by increasing the overall protrusion distance.

[0016] In this embodiment, the invention is an awning supported by anextension rod with an adjustability of protrusion angle and mounted tothe outer edge of a patio roof or roof support member. The extensionrods are secured to a U-bracket, which is, in turn coupled to a flatwall mount. The awning can also serve as a drop-shade when the screenpanel is wider than the extension rod is long. The screen, in this case,is hooded onto the extension rods and then hangs suspended. Thiseffectively extends the protrusion distance of the patio roof andcreates a larger inside patio volume. The volume comes as a result ofthe drop shade now suspended at an additional distance further outwardthan without the extension rods. The utility of this embodiment differsfrom prior art conventional awnings by its ability to be supported byonly two points of mounting made possible by the lightweight design of asingle screen. The shade screen is capable of mounting to a singlehorizontal member, such as the outer edge of a patio roof, rather thanrequiring additional supportive surfaces.

[0017] It is still another object of the invention to provide anaesthetic improvement accessory to a barrier fence or wall. Theaesthetic improvement can function in tandem as a visual impairment or asound barrier.

[0018] In this embodiment, saddle mounts are coupled to an adapter for aflower rack holder. The flower rack holder contains flowers, vines, orother vegetation which can grow to heights above the barrier wall andserve, in tandem, as an aesthetic improvement and a visual impairment orshade creator.

[0019] These embodiments can be better understood when accompanied bythe following drawings and descriptions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0020]FIG. 1 is an illustration of the invention as a barrier wallextension in the form of a visual impairment.

[0021]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a saddle mount for a barrier wall.

[0022]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the components and final assemblyof the extension rod and U-bracket adapter.

[0023]FIG. 4 is an illustration of the invention as an aestheticaccessory in the form of a flower bed holder.

[0024]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a flower bed adapter.

[0025]FIG. 6 is an illustration of the invention as a shade accessory.

[0026]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a surface mount fixture.

[0027]FIG. 8 is an illustration of the invention as a shade accessory inthe form of an awning for an outdoor patio.

[0028]FIG. 9 is an illustration of the invention as a drop shadeaccessory for an outdoor patio.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0029]FIG. 1 is an illustration of the preferred embodiment of theinvention. The wall shown is a concrete-block barrier wall 100 which cansurround a house, building, or other erection. A non-permanent visualimpairment 105 extends above barrier wall 100. Visual impairment 105 canbe of any material with desirable opacity, strength, ventilation, andsound permeability, and can be customizable from application toapplication. Visual impairment 105 is supported by extension rods 110.The ends of visual impairment 105 have sheath loops 115 separated bygaps such that one extension rod 110 can support two separate visualimpairments at a visual impairment junction 120 for a continuous visualimpairment. Visual impairment junction 120 can also be used to bendcorners in barrier wall 100 as in the case of FIG. 1. Extension rods 110are fixed to U-bracket adapters 125 which have the adjustability ofangle of protrusion with respect to the barrier wall 100. U-bracketadapters 125 are coupled to saddle mounts 130. The saddle mounts 130have the adjustability to fit different thickness barrier walls byscrewing tightening screws 135 into one side of the saddle mount.Further applications are possible by using other adapters and attachingthem to mounting hole 140 of saddle mount 130.

[0030]FIG. 2 shows the saddle mount 130 which is used to supportsaccessories for a barrier fence or wall. Different thicknesses can beaccommodated by using tightening screws 135 at threaded adjusting holes200. A common wall thickness is four inches thick, but the saddle mountscan be made in varying sizes. A U-bracket adapter 125 and extension rod110 assembly attaches to saddle mount 135 at threaded receiving mountingholes 140. Threaded receiving mounting hole 140 is not restricted to themiddle span of the saddle mount 130; it can be located anywhere alongthe front, back or middle face that doesn't interfere with tighteningscrews 135.

[0031]FIG. 3 shows the U-bracket adapter 125 and extension rod 110 ascomponents and as a completed assembly. U-bracket adapter 125 isattached to a mounting apparatus, such as a saddle mount, using genericcoupling screw 300. Generic coupling screw 300 passes through mountinghole 305 and fastens to a threaded receiving mounting hole on thecorresponding mounting apparatus. U-bracket adapter 125 accommodatesextension rod 110 using a pivot bolt 310 and pivot bolt wing nut 315.Pivot bolt 310 passes through unthreaded hole 315, then throughextension rod pivot shaft 320, followed by unthreaded hole 325. Thetightening action of wing nut 315 applies a compression force to pivotshaft 320 and consequently secures the angle of extension rod 110 withrespect to U-bracket adapter 125. This feature allows for customizableangles such as angled extension rod 330.

[0032] Another application of the invention using barrier wall 100 is aflower bed 400, as shown in FIG. 4. This embodiment utilizes saddlemounts 130 with a flower bed adapter 405 to support flower bed 400. Theplants or flowers 410 in flower bed 400 serve multiple functions. Theplants or flowers 410 serve as an aesthetic improvement to an outdoorenvironment in addition to providing increased privacy as a form of avisual impairment. A coupling screw 300 is used to fasten the flower bedadapter 405 to a threaded receiving mounting hole or threaded adjustinghole of saddle mount 130.

[0033] The flower bed adapter 405 is shown in FIG. 5 and is a genericadapter. Any design of adapter with suitable strength properties ispermissible. The only requirement is a mating action between the adapter405 and the flower bed 400. The adapter has two 90 degree bends, is madeof a metal or other strong durable material, and has one unthreadedmounting hole 500. Coupling screw 300 passes through mounting hole 500and into a threaded receiving mounting hole of saddle mount.

[0034] Yet another application of the invention using barrier wall 100is a shade creator 600, as shown in FIG. 6. The angle of the shadecreator 600 can be adjusted using the pivot bolt and wing nut assemblyof the U-bracket adapter 125. The U-bracket adapter 125 is couple to asurface mount 605. The single surface mount 605 is secured to thebarrier wall 100 by four concrete screws 610. The shade created could beused to protect sun sensitive plants 615.

[0035]FIG. 7 shows the single surface mount 605. Mounting screws 700pass through slots 705 on single surface mount 605. A U-bracket adapter,flower bed adapter, or other accessory can be coupled to single surfacemount 605 using a coupling screw and threaded coupling hole 710. Anydesign of flat plate surface mount 605 with suitable strength propertiesis permissible. Supportive slots 705 can also be individual holes orindividual slots per mounting screw 700.

[0036]FIG. 8 is an illustration of the invention as a shade accessoryand performing the service of a shade awning 800. The shade awning 800is supported using sheath loops 115 and the extension rod 110 andU-bracket adapter 125. The U-bracket adapters are coupled to singlesurface mounts 605. The single surface mounts 605 shown are fixed to theroof support members 805 of an outdoor patio roof 810.

[0037]FIG. 9 is an illustration of the invention as a drop shadeaccessory 900 attached to the roof support members 805 of an outdoorpatio roof 810. The drop shade accessory 900 is wider than the extensionrods 110 are long and therefore hangs suspended at an extended distancefrom the patio roof 810. An extra inside patio volume is now possible asa direct result of not being suspended directly from the edge of patioroof 810. The drop shade 900 is supported by fitting sheath loops 115over extension rods 110 which are coupled to U-bracket adapter 125.U-bracket adapters 125 are coupled to single surface mounts 605. Thesingle surface mounts 605 shown are fixed to the roof support members805.

[0038] Although the descriptions of the different embodiments referencea specific method of mounting attachment, the scope of the inventionshould not be construed as being limited by the methods illustrated, butshould include any means by which a screen panel accessory may besupported. The invention merely prescribes that an increase in privacy,shade, and aesthetics are possible as a result of a screen panelextension to an existing barrier fence or wall, roof, or roof supportmember.

1. A privacy accessory mounted to a rigid barrier fence or wall, wheresaid barrier fence or wall is composed of one or more of a concrete,concrete-block, metal, stone, or wood material, and comprising: (a) ascreen panel with visual impairment properties and extending higher thansaid barrier fence or wall; (b) a method of attaching said screen panelto said barrier wall of fence.
 2. A privacy accessory mounted to a rigidbarrier fence or wall, where said barrier fence or wall is composed ofone or more of a concrete, concrete-block, metal, stone, or woodmaterial, and comprising: (a) a screen panel with audio impairmentproperties and extending higher than said barrier fence or wall; (b) amethod of attaching said screen panel to said barrier wall of fence. 3.A shade accessory mounted to a rigid barrier fence or wall, where saidbarrier fence or wall is composed of one or more of a concrete,concrete-block, metal, stone, or wood material, and comprising: (a) ascreen panel with light blocking properties and extending outward fromsaid barrier fence or wall; (b) a method of attaching said screen panelto said barrier wall of fence.
 4. A shade accessory mounted to a roof orroof support member, and comprising: (a) a screen panel with lightblocking properties and extending beyond and outward from said roof orroof support member; (b) a method of attaching said screen panel to saidroof or roof support member and requiring only two points of mounting.5. An aesthetic accessory mounted to a rigid barrier fence or wall,where said barrier fence or wall is composed of one or more of aconcrete, concrete-block, metal, stone, or wood material, andcomprising: (a) a flower bed with plant life, said plant life creatingan additional visual impairment; (b) a method of attaching said flowerbed to said barrier fence or wall and located near the upper rim of saidbarrier fence or wall.
 6. An accessory mounted to a rigid barrier fenceor wall, where said barrier fence or wall is composed of one or more ofa concrete, concrete-block, metal material, stone, or wood, andcomprising any combination of increase in privacy, shade, and aestheticimprovements by means of a non-permanent extension upward or outwardfrom said barrier fence or wall.
 7. A privacy accessory, as in claim 1,where said screen panel has a decorative utility with desired opacityand audible blocking properties, and further doubling as an aestheticimprovement.
 8. A privacy accessory, as in claim 1, with the ability tocustomize the angle of protrusion from said barrier fence or wall.
 9. Aprivacy accessory, as in claim 2, with the ability to customize theangle of protrusion from said barrier fence or wall.
 10. A shadeaccessory, as in claim 3, with the ability to customize the angle ofprotrusion from said barrier fence or wall.
 11. A shade accessory, as inclaim 4, with the ability to customize the angle of protrusion from saidroof or roof support member.
 12. A privacy accessory, as in claim 1,with the compatibility to be linked with additional accessories of thelike, effectively increasing the impaired length of said barrier fenceor wall.
 13. A privacy accessory, as in claim 1, with the compatibilityto be linked with additional privacy accessories, effectively increasingthe impaired length of said barrier fence or wall, and utilizing acommon support mount as to reduce total number of components required,and whereby permitting the ability to turn corners of said barrier fenceor wall.
 14. A privacy accessory, as in claim 2, with the compatibilityto be linked with additional accessories of the like, effectivelyincreasing the impaired length of said barrier fence or wall.
 15. Aprivacy accessory, as in claim 2, with the compatibility to be linkedwith additional privacy accessories, effectively increasing the impairedlength of said barrier fence or wall, and utilizing a common supportmount as to reduce total number of components required, and wherebypermitting the ability to turn corners of said barrier fence or wall.16. A shade accessory, as in claim 3, with the compatibility to belinked with additional accessories of the like, effectively increasingthe impaired length of said barrier fence or wall.
 17. A shadeaccessory, as in claim 3, with the compatibility to be linked withadditional privacy accessories, effectively increasing the impairedlength of said barrier fence or wall, and utilizing a common supportmount as to reduce total number of components required, and wherebypermitting the ability to turn corners of said barrier fence or wall.18. A shade accessory, as in claim 4, with the compatibility to belinked with additional accessories of the like, effectively increasingthe length of the impaired roof or roof support member area.
 19. A shadeaccessory, as in claim 4, with the compatibility to be linked withadditional privacy accessories, effectively increasing the length of theimpaired roof or roof support member area, and utilizing a commonsupport mount as to reduce total number of components required.
 20. Ascreen panel accessory mounting system where a method of attaching ascreen panel to said barrier fence or wall comprises: (a) a plurality ofsaddle clamps with an adjustability of wall thickness; (b) a pluralityof extension rods, each coupled to one of said saddle clamps and eachwith a customizable angle of protrusion; (c) a screen panel; (d) asleeve at terminal ends of said screen panel disposed to accommodatesaid extension rods;